De Neve, Felipe, Branch
Why it's listed
Built in 1929, this one-story brick branch library at 2820 W. 6th Street in Los Angeles was designed by architect Austin Whittlesey, with Harry J. Rinnert as general contractor. It has a red tile roof and a street facade decorated with black and white tile diamonds and crosses, a mosaic city seal above the entry, and wrought-iron light fixtures. The rear faces Lafayette Park, with five arched windows and stepped gardens leading down to a brick-walled fountain. Inside are a high wooden cross-beam ceiling and a brick fireplace beneath a landscape painting by local artist Dana Bartlett. The library cost just under $40,000 and opened on July 1, 1929, with formal dedication on September 4, 1929, the anniversary of the city's founding. It was the first Los Angeles building named for Felipe de Neve, the Spanish governor who founded the city in 1781. It is one of several branch libraries grouped together in a thematic listing.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is the first building in Los Angeles named for Felipe de Neve, the Spanish governor who founded the city. It is also presented as a notable example of Austin Whittlesey's work and as part of a thematic grouping of Los Angeles branch libraries.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 87001008, listed May 19, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 2820 W. Sixth St., Los Angeles |
|---|---|
| County | Los Angeles County |
| Listed | May 19, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87001008 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Architect Austin Whittlesey; General Contractor Harry J. Rinnert |
| Architectural style | Mediterranean |
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The library has served as a local cultural center with exhibits, lectures and senior activities; the document does not state its current condition or use. |
| Acreage | 0.4 |
| Coordinates | 34.06270, -118.27143 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 87001008.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5441961
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.